, 1887-01-08

whose term of absence had expired was then
brought under discussion.
The Chairman would, in referring to what
had been stated earlier in the Council, say
that exceptions had been made hitherto,
when absent members had made their inten-
ton known and a further grace had been
granted. With regard to the members in
question nothing was known. Should they
therefore be considered as having withdrawn?
4th Member for Frederiksted's Country
District (McDOnaldJ would for inquiry ask
whether the Law was always. carried out as
it reads. He was almost positive when he
said that during his experience in St. Thomas
Council a further grant of 4 months to those
prescribed by the Colonial Law had been
granted absent members. He would there
fore propose that the Members in question be
granted a further leave.
1st Member for Frederiksted's Town Dis
trict (KGtmerJ begged to say that he remem-
bered well what had hitherto taken place in
the Council, having had the honour Of being
a member for above 10 years, and he felt fully
convinced that the remark of the honorable
last speaker had not been established on pre-
cedence. According to the Colonial Law 4
months are granted. The term takes its be-
ginning from the LIST meeting when the de-
parture is a~nnounced) after the member has
left. In the present case 4 months had al
ready expired, and although he knew that a
deviation had taken place in certain instances,
it was only when the intention Of the absent
member had been either understood or been
intimated to the. Chairman
Another point. When the 4 months have
expired, the question is brought up in the
1st meeting after, in order to consider the
matter. Should such calculations be brought
forward as point to a reasonable delay and
return, then a further grace had always been
granted, but when no reason for the ~protract-
ed stay had been adduced and no official int
nation of return forwarded to the Chairman,
then the seat Of the absent me nber had al
ways been declared vacant. He would lie
guided in this instance by what has always
been hitherto considered an axiom of the
Council. He would finally inquire of the
Chairman if he knew anything of the inten-
tions of the absent members?
4th Member for Frederiksted's Country
District (lIcDOHdLO would state that as far
as concerned one of the absent members he
knew nothing, but that he knew that Messrs.
Wilson and Hewitt would leave Europe with
the first steamer after New Year.
The Chairman would in answer to the
honorable 1st Member for Frederiksted's
Town District (Katmey)say that the intention
of the honorable absent members had not
been notified to him and that he did not know
when they intended returning -.
3rd Grown Member (Faber) begged to agree
with the 1st Member for Frederiksted's Town
District (KGtmerJ According to the Colonial
Law S34 it was plain and beyond dispute
that the absent members had forfeited their
seats. If this be allowed to pass then it would
make members careless as regards conformity
to the Law. He for his part, having been
one of those who left for Europe in August
a. c., could have been induced to remain
longer at nome and not nave hurried himself
out as he did in order to meet the require
ments of the Law. He would therefore vote
against honorable members being retained.
1st Member for Frederiksted's Town Dis
trict (KaLmer) would ask for calculations on
the point. Would not new elections be made
in April 1887?
The Chairman would state in reply that
only l members (Wilson's) term expires then.
The others had been voted in in 1885.
1st Member for Frederiksted's Town Dis
trict (Kalmer) would then propose to vote
out Members Birch and Hewitt and to retain
member Wilson.
End Member for Frederiksted's Town Dis
trict (BrOWn) begged to second the proposal.
4th Member for Frederiksted's Country
District (McDonGlO felt the injustice done
and was compelled to vote against such g.
measure. Either should all be retained or
all dismissed. ."a
Il 1E1-1I~- r. H. 1.s1-~LoI III. ~